Accession Number
2014/2.10

Title
Aristolochia clematitis

Artist(s)
Karl Blossfeldt

Artist Nationality
German (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1928

Medium & Support
rotogravure on paper

Dimensions
9 5/16 in x 12 1/8 in (23.65 cm x 30.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Eeta Gershow

Subject matter
This photograph displays a closeup view of a shoot of birthwort. Situated against a light backdrop, the plant extends diagonally from the bottom left of the frame up through the image’s center. The birthwort’s vitality can be felt in its robust appearance. Its leaves, covered with a webbing of dark veins, are clasped together in a bud-like huddle, ready to unfurl. In order to create this photograph, Blossfeldt used a handmade camera with a bellows that spanned a full meter, which allowed him to render the micro-textures of the this tiny form in fine detail. Printed in matte, green-black tones, this image originally appeared in the books, Urformen der Kunst  (1928) and Art Forms in Nature (1929), and accompanied other closeup views of botanical specimens. 

Physical Description
This photograph depicts a closeup view of a plant against a light background.  

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Additional Object Classification(s)
Print

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
botanical illustrations
botany
flowers (plant components)
leaves (plant components)
natural history specimens
scientific illustrations (images)
specimens
stem (plant material)